1. Which countries launched the trilateral exercise ‘Freedom Edge’?
Information: Recently, South Korea, the United States, and Japan launched their five-day trilateral multi-domain exercise ‘Freedom Edge’ from September 15–19 in international waters near Jeju Island. This is the third round of the drills, after earlier editions in June and November 2024. It is the first such exercise under South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. The exercise focuses on ballistic missile defence, air defence, medical evacuation, and maritime interdiction training. The goal is to boost interoperability and strengthen trilateral security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
2. The Red Coral Kukri snake was recently found near which Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh?
Information: Recently, a rare Red Coral Kukri Snake (Oligodon kheriensis), last reported in 1936, was found trapped in a net near Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh. It is non-venomous, nocturnal, and fossorial, with sharp curved teeth resembling a kukri (Nepali knife). Its body is bright coral-red with a yellowish or pinkish underside, and it has a short head with a pointed snout. It is found in Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and western Assam.
3. Which district in Bihar secured first rank in the INSPIRE Award Scheme of the Ministry of Science and Technology?
Information: Recently, Muzaffarpur district of Bihar secured first rank in the INSPIRE Award Scheme of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. A record 7,403 students submitted innovative ideas, surpassing Bengaluru Urban (7,306) and Bagalkot, Karnataka (6,826). Under INSPIRE, students from Class 6–10 get ₹10,000 to develop innovative models, later exhibited up to the National Level Exhibition (NLEPC). Selected top 60 ideas are displayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President honours students. Ideas must be novel, practical, socially useful, and eco-friendly, e.g., water conservation, renewable energy, pollution control, and assistive devices.
4. Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 is conducted in which country?
Information: Indian Navy’s Diving Support Vessel (DSV) INS Nistar is participating in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore. Exercise Pacific Reach is a biennial multinational exercise with participation from over 40 nations. The harbour phase will include discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), a medical symposium and cross-deck visits. The sea phase will see INS Nistar and Submarine Rescue Unit (E) perform intervention and rescue operations with other nations in the South China Sea.
5. Lake Natron, that was recently in news, is located on the border between which two countries?
Information: Recently, Tanzania stopped a large-scale soda ash mining project at Lake Natron to protect its ecosystem. Lake Natron is a salt lake on the Tanzania–Kenya border, part of the Great Rift Valley. It was designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2001. It is the only reliable breeding ground for Lesser Flamingos in Africa, hosting 75% of the world’s population. The proposed mining project by Ngaresero Valley Company threatened flamingos, fragile hydrology, and the livelihoods of 65,000 Maasai pastoralists. Government allowed only small-scale traditional soda ash collection and emphasized sustainable ecotourism as the future.
6. What is the estimated annual fisheries potential of India’s EEZ?
Information: India’s Exclusive Economic Zone covers 2 million sq km with an estimated fisheries potential of 5.31 million tonnes annually, as per the Ministry of Fisheries. Actual marine catch is around 4.5 million tonnes yearly; LOA is required for fishing in the High Seas. Major potential also exists in Andaman & Lakshadweep.
